1.7 Typologies
1.7.1 Local Typologies
Yahkchal Ice towers or Yahkchal is a type of evaporative cooling system found in the desert which originated in ancient Persia. The ice tower was used to store ice and food. The ice tower consists of a domed shape structure which is positioned above the ground and a subterranean storage space.
Mahdavinejad, M. and Javanrudi, K. (2012). Assessment of Ancient Fridges: A Sustainable Method to Storage Ice in Hot-Arid Climates. ACH, 4(2). Mahdavinejad, M. and Javanroodi, K. (2014). Natural ventilation performance of ancient wind catchers, an experimental and analytical study - case studies: one-sided, two-sided and four-sided wind catchers. IJETP, 10(1),
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The ice was either brought from a nearby mountain during the winter season or alternatively, the more common way of supplying water, was to use a qanat system (traditional Persian well) which would channel water to the north side of a wall that was built along an eastwest direction. The shadow of the wall made the water freeze more quickly so that more ice was produced during a winter day. Ice was stored in a specially designed, passively cooled subterranean space. This space would function as a refrigerator and was coupled with thick heat-resistant construction material which insulates the storage space around the year.
Bâdgir The wind catcher or bâdgir is a traditional Persian architectural device which provides natural ventilation without any moving
parts. Fresh air is brought into the room and warm air is expelled taking advantage of the differential pressure created by wind. The Wind catcher is essentially a tall, capped tower with faces open at the top. One or two of the faces should be facing the prevailing wind direction to catch the wind. The system works through normal atmospheric properties where warm air rises and decreases the air pressure within a room so that cooler air falls into the room. This subtle change in air pressure produces enough airflow to make the room comfortably fresh. Stables The stables found in the Mesopotamian marshes are basic buildings made out of reeds. Typically an enclosed reed-shaded area accommodates up to 5 buffaloes. On average the required indoor area for one buffalo is 10 sqm. The architecture of the buffalo stables is influenced by the vernacular construction system. The stables are made out of reeds; the most available building material in the Mesopotamian marshlands.